Instrument carrying case



July 15,1941.

L. M. CORLESS INSTRUMENT CARRYING CASE Filed Sept. so, 1959 2Sheets-Sheet '1 IN VENT OR.

ATTORNEY.

WWW/8 H 8 Z a z July 15, 1941. L. M. CORLESS INSTRUMENT CARRYING CASE.

Filed Sept. 50, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR.

is 777 BY Patented July 15, 1941 INSTRUMENT CARRYING CASE Lee M.Corless, Royal Oak, Mich.

Application September 30, 1939, Serial No. 297,252

3 Claims.

The object of my invention is to produce a special case for instruments,designed for conveniently packing all necessary equipment incidental tothe special instrument adapted.

Another object is to provide a folding case adaptable to various specialinstruments, and that can readily be opened in a flatposition upon asupporting table in a manner that any chosen equipment is accessiblewithout disturbing other parts therein inclosed.

A further object is to provide a folding case especially adapted fortransporting motion picture projectors, or similar instruments, so thatthe projector may be readily operated without removal from the case, andall necessary equipment available for immediate use therewith.

A still further object is to provide a special folding carrying casethat is simple in construction, easily and efliciently operated and thatcan be manufactured at a very low cost.

These several objects are attained in the preferred form, by theconstruction and arrangement of parts as is more fully hereinafter setforth.

Similar parts on all drawings are marked by similar numerals or letters.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the closed case, showing the exteriorformation and connecting means between the sections.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the closed case showing the relativeposition of the side and bottom sections and means for connecting same.

Fig. 3 is an end View of the case, in its open position showing aspecial projector instrument mounted therein and ready for operationwithout removal from the case.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the open case shown in the Fig. 3, but with theprojector instrument removed, showing the various compartments formedtherein and the means for retaining the special equipment withinrecesses provided.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of the Fig. 2,showing the relative position of an inclosed instrument and accessorieswithin the closed case, and the special means for retaining them inposition.

Fig. 6 is another vertical sectional view taken on the line B--6 of theFig. 1, illustrating the adjustable means .for retaining box containerswithin the base compartment, when the case sections are closed together.

Fig. '7 is a longitudinal sectional view lengthwise through the openedcase, taken on the line 1-4 of the Fig. 4, showing the generalconstruction of the case walls and the seini-oonipartment recessesformed therein.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail of an alternate hinge structure,illustrating one detachable means for conveniently separating, orremoving the side sections from the supporting base, when desired.

Fig. 9 is another enlarged detail showing an alternate clamping unit, inthe form of a thumb latch, for more securely attaching inclosedinstruments to the case base section, when the type of instrumentinclosed may require.

Fig. 10 is an end elevation, illustrating a deep, or box base and withthe side case sections closing thereon.

Fig. 11 is a modified end view of the case showing variable depths ofthe side sections as may be also used.

While my folding carrying case is herein illustrated as applied, oradapted to a moving picture projector instrument and projectoraccessories, yet it is to be understood that the case is also adaptableto other types of instruments equally as well, and are intended to beincluded herein.

In general my carrying case comprises two box shaped side sectionspositioned with their open faces together, and hingedly mounted onopposite sides of a supporting base. Both base and side sections areformed with special recesses and instrument compartments, and providedwith special retaining means for clamping the various units placedtherein. The instrument preferably is mounted on the base section asherein illustrated.

I will now describe more fully the detail construction of my carryingcase, referring to the drawings and the marks thereon.

The side sections A and B are preferably made of wood, or fiber, or ofany other suitable material as may be desired, and is formed box shaped,open at the inner side and the bottom end. The side sections may be madeto any desired size or depth, depending upon the special instrument withwhich it is to be used. The rectangular base 0 is preferably madeshallow, and is herein illustrated as a grooved board section I providedwith lCI'OSS cleats 2 and 3 securely attached thereto, preferably byproper cement materials, or screws. The cross cleats 2 and 3 are formedwith longitudinal grooves a and b for'receiving the base flange edges yof the inclosed projector instrument D, as shown mounted therein in-theFig. 5 of the drawings. The groove b of the cleat 3, is formed deep andcarries a strong retaining spring 4 mounted therein. The retainingspring 4 is preferably made of a fiat spring bar, curved outwardly atboth ends, and fixedly attached to the cleat at the center by suitablescrews or rivets 5. The outer ends of the spring are designed to recedewithin the groove 1) under pressure applied through the instrument baseflange y, and sufiiciently to allow the instrument flange edge to enterthe opposite groove a of the base end cleat 2. The restraining spring 4is sufficiently stressed to retain the instrument base firmly withinboth cleat grooves. Where the nature of the instrument D does notrequire, both the grooves and the spring 4 may be omitted if desired. Abox compartment E is provided at one end of the base C, designed forreceiving special box containers F and G therein, and as may be requiredfor the special instrument adapted. The side sections A and B arepivotally attached to the base C by the hinges l6, and allow thesections to be closed tightly together, and latched, as shown in theFig. 2 of the drawings. Each case section is provided with specialretainer bars 6 and I, positioned in parallel alignment and fixedlyattached to the section side walls by suitable screws 8. The retainerbars as herein illustrated, are formed with circular segment recesses walong their respective edges, designed for retaining thin circular reelcans 9 therein, and as are required with the illustrated projectorinstrument D. Elastic retainer bands are mounted between the bars 6 andI through slotted recesses 2 formed therethrough, and are positionedacross the respective circular recesses, stressed for firmly retainingthe circular reel cans 9 therein, or allow their removal when desired.The bars 6 and I are detachably mounted to the case side walls by thescrews 8, which allows the removal thereof for replacing the elasticretainer bands Ill, when necessary. These retainer bars may likewise bedesigned to receive different shaped equipment units within theirrespective recesses, as may be required by different types ofinstruments to which the case may be adapted. Along the end wall at ofeach case section A and B, in alignment with the base box container E,is mounted an elongated clamp slide bar I l, fixedly attached to thewall. An adjustable clamp arm I2 is slidably mounted on each slide barH, capable of adjustment thereon for engaging and retaining the boxcontainers F and G within the base compartment E when the case sectionsare closed together, as illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The clamparms i 2 are securely attached to the slide bars 1 I by suitable setscrews 13. The case section B is provided with a cross partition wall 14across the outer end thereof, forming a packing compartment H therein.The opposite case section A is provided with a cross wall bar along theouter edge thereof, positioned opposite the opposing compartment H, forclosing same when the two case sections are closed together. A specialinstrument clamp block I! is fixedly mounted in the outer end of onecase section, preferably the section A. and positioned therein to engagethe instrument top when the .case is closed, and firmly hold saidinstrument in position within the base recess, during transportation.Small, rectangular shaped dowel pins l8 are fitted within the outercorners of the case section A, fixedly attached thereto, designed toengage the opposite corresponding corners of the section B when the twosections are closed together, for forcing both sections in alignment. Afurther reinforcing dowel pin l9 may also be mounted at the top centerof the section B, positioned to engage the dowel recess 20 formedthrough the cross wall bar 15, if desired.

The case sections A and B are provided with suitable carrying handles 2|mounted on their respective top Walls, also securing clasp sections 22and 22a are fixedly attached to the respective case section ends, forlocking them together when closed. The handle may be omitted for smallcases, if desired.

When desirable, an added thumb clamp 23 may be mounted on the base crosscleat 3, and as indicated in Fig. 9 of the drawings, for more securelyattaching the instrument D to the base section C. Either the clamp 23,or the retaining spring 4, or both may be omitted if the character ofthe instrument D will permit.

When the operation of any inclosed instrument D may require, specialdetachable hinge units [6a, as illustrated in Fig. 8, may be substitutedfor the orchnary hinges l6, thus allowing the case side sections A and Bto be readily lifted from the base hinge pivots when the side sectionsare rotated to their full open positions.

A modified case section is illustrated in Fig. 10 of the drawings,showing a deeper base C, resembling box construction, and with the sidesections A and B hingedly attached thereto, but with the case end wallsengaging the box edges instead of extending thereby as in the formerstructure. The remainder of the case and its application to instrumentsand accessories, is the same as previously described.

The Fig. 11 shows a further modification of the case, with the sidesections formed of different thicknesses, herein illustrated as side A"reduced to substantially a panel section, although each side section maybe varied in thickness according to the needs of the special instrumentto be inclosed therewith. The remaining construction is the same aspreviously described. Should the character of the instrument inclosedrequire, the instrument base mounting may be attached to one of the sidesection walls instead of the base section previously illustrated.Neither the case, or its operation will be effected.

It is to be understood that my folding carrying case also adaptable forvarious other articles and uses, and I not only claim the actual designherein shown, but any modifications thereof that is substantially asubstitution of parts or sections herein illustrated.

Having fully described my instrument carrying case, what I claim as myinvention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A folding carrying case adapted for special instruments andincidental equipment and used therewith, comprising a shallow recessedbase section, two open rectangular side sections hingedly mounted onopposite sides of said base closable therewith to form a closed casecompartment, retaining ribs mounted across the base recess designed tofit and restrain an instrument base in a predetermined position thereon,equipment unit recesses formed within the side sections, restrainingmeans mounted over each equipment recess, engaging means mounted withinone side section for engaging the instrument top and clamping theinstrument to the base recess when the case sections are closedtogether, lock units mounted on the case section walls for firmlyattaching them together when the sections are closed, and a carryinghandle mounted on each of the side section walls.

2. A carrying case adapted for special instruments and equipmentincidental thereto and used therewith, comprising a rectangular basesection, two open rectangular side box sections hingedly mounted onopposite sides of the base closable therewith to form a closed casecompartment, instrument retaining ribs mounted across the base sectiontop for retaining an inclosed instrument in a predetermined positionthereon, instrument clamping means provided on said base cross ribs,equipment recesses formed within each side section wall, adjustablerestraining means provided over each equipment recess, an open packingcompartment formed in one side section, a closing panel mounted in theopposite side section positioned to coincide with the opposite openpacking compartment when the case sections are closed together, a clampblock mounted in one side section positioned to engage and restrain aninclosed instrument within the base recess when the case is closed,clasp means mounted on the side sections for locking them together, andsuitable handle carrying means mounted on the side section walls.

3. A carrying case adapted for projector instruments and equipmentincidental thereto and used therewith, comprising a suitable box shapedbase section, two open box side sections hingedly mounted on oppositesides of the base, closable therewith to form a closed case compartment.means provided on said base section for retaining a projector instrumentin a predetermined position thereon, instrument clamping means mountedin one side section, engageable with the projector instrument when thesections are closed together, a package compartment formed in one caseend, equipment recesses formed within the side sections, restrainingmeans mounted over each equipment recess, clamp means mounted on theside sections, positioned to engage units placed in the base packagecompartment when the case is closed, an open packing compartmentprovided in one side section and a closing panel therefor mounted in theopposite side section, section alignment units mounted along the edgesof one side section engageable with the opposite side section whenclosed together, latch means mounted on the case sections for retainingthem in their closed position, and suitable handle carrying meansmounted on the side sections opposite the base section. Y

LEE M. CORLESS.

